Kengo Kuma Shrouds Seoul Museum in Cascading Aluminium Pipes
Japanese architecture studio Kengo Kuma and Associates has unveiled the Audeum audio museum in Seoul, which is characterized by its unique exterior wrapped in layers of cascading aluminium pipes.
Design Concept and Location
Located in the Gangnam district of the South Korean capital, Audeum is designed to engage visitors’ senses as they explore its collection of sound reproduction equipment. Kengo Kuma and Associates emphasized that Audeum is not merely a place to see but also a place to experience sound firsthand. The museum aims to function as an architectural instrument that reconnects humans with their natural state, stimulating all five senses of the body.
Architectural Features
The Audeum museum is enveloped in overlapping aluminium pipes that elevate above the ground near the entrance, revealing a glass facade. These cascading pipes create a dynamic pattern of light and shade, mimicking how sunlight filters through trees in a forest. This design choice was intended to harmonize natural disorder with order, showcasing the beauty of light that changes with weather, time, and seasons. The aluminium pipes envelop the building entirely, allowing the exterior to display new expressions according to the seasons and incorporating the random characteristics of both the urban environment and nature into the architecture.
Entry and Interior Design
An external staircase leads from ground level to the sunken entrance of the museum, where the main entry space features glazed walls and timber panels. These panels conceal a second external staircase that runs alongside the building. Inside, the entrance hall continues the theme of cascading aluminium tubes, with the pipes flowing downward from the high ceiling, mirroring the external pipes’ curves.
Material Contrast and Acoustics
The interior design incorporates extensive use of timber to contrast with the hard aluminium exterior. This transition from aluminium to wood creates a gradual shift from the exterior to the interior, fostering a sense of closeness to nature. The wood finish is acoustically designed to stimulate human senses and create a welcoming, natural environment.
Conclusion
Kengo Kuma and Associates have successfully created a visually striking and sensory-engaging museum in Seoul. The Audeum audio museum, with its innovative use of aluminium pipes and natural materials, represents an architectural feat that merges the urban environment with natural elements, offering a unique experience that stimulates all five senses.
Photos: Namsun Lee
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